Table Quiz night - gather your team and join the fun

Mullingar Golf Club notes

Support club development

There is still time to get your quiz team together. Mullingar Golf Club will host a table quiz on Friday, February 20 at 8pm - an enjoyable evening to test your general knowledge while supporting a very worthwhile cause.

Entry is €60 per table for teams of four, with a raffle on the night. Proceeds will support club development, benefiting all members from our youngest juniors to our most senior players, and a donation will also be made to Saplings School, Mullingar.

To enter, please contact the office or the bar/restaurant on 044 934 8366. Payment can be made on the night.

Course re-development project

Thirty-five millimetres of rain were recorded overnight last Thursday and, with exceptionally heavy rainfall this month, the volume of water continues to challenge the bunker renovation project. The shaping of the fairway bunker on the 17th is now complete and, on Friday, DAR Golf began sodding around the bunkers on the 16th and 17th. A significant improvement in the weather will be required to bring the project back on schedule.

Club Lotto

The weekly club lotto continues, with the next draw taking place on Friday night. The jackpot now stands at €4,100. Members are encouraged to get involved and support the club.

Friday Night ‘Killers’ Pool Competition

The new Singles League competition began on Friday, February 6, with 28 participants taking part. The event is sponsored by Mr Captain Stephen Lyons. Congratulations to Brendan Ganley, who scored a hole-in-one in the bonus golf simulator challenge.

Clubhouse Refurbishment and Redecoration Project

The clubhouse renovation will begin during the week of Monday, February 16. The first phase will focus on the Men’s Locker Room, including the shower area, along with improvements to the main hallway and a refresh of the Bar and Restaurant.

Pre-paid Golf Simulator Offer

To help keep your game sharp during the recent spell of bad weather, the club is offering 10 one-hour simulator sessions for €145. The member rate for a one-hour session is €20. Simulator time can be booked through the Pro Shop or the Bar/Restaurant.

Club event lookahead

Upcoming events include the International Women’s Day 4 Person Scramble (any combination), sponsored by Lady President Ann Fagan and Mr President Frank McDonagh, on Saturday, March 7 with tee times from 11am to 2pm; and the Captain’s Drive In on Saturday, March 14 at 10.15am with a shotgun start event to follow.

Gents Branch

Heavy rain over the weekend resulted in course closure and unfortunately there was no men’s branch competition.

Fairgreen TV Winter League Update

After 12 weeks (best eight weeks’ results), Tyrone lead on 538pts; Galway have 525pts; Armagh sit on 520pts; Kilkenny have 511pts; Kerry are on 499pts; and Mayo have 495pts.

Competition lookahead

Upcoming competitions are as follows: Seniors 9 Hole Stableford on Tuesday, February 24; Final of Winter League Fairgreen TV on Saturday, February 28; 15 Hole Stableford Mens Branch on Sunday, March 1; Seniors 9 Hole Scramble on Tuesday, March 3; and 15 Hole Stableford Mens Branch on Sunday, March 8.

Men’s Seniors

Despite wind, rain and a damp course, 40 players competed in challenging conditions.

Willie Brennan (12) won with 45pts; Peter Swords (10) was second with 44pts; Paul Riordan (11) finished third with 43pts; Frank Rooney (4) won the Super Senior category with 43pts; Aidan McManus (14) claimed the Super Super Senior with 37pts; and Paddy Gavin (8) recorded Best of the Day with 21pts.

Ladies Branch notes - Competition results

Last week’s competition was cancelled due to persistent rain and unplayable course conditions. Looking ahead to Wednesday, February 18, the Ladies 12-hole Single Stableford is kindly sponsored by Ann Marie Fagan, or the Ladies 9-hole Singles Stableford is sponsored by Patricia Smyth.

Winter League

The Winter League began with seventy-seven players across eleven teams and is now down to the final four. The semi-finals will be played over 12-hole matchplay, with all semi-final matches to be completed by Monday, March 2, and the final scheduled for Saturday, March 21.

The semi-final line-up is Team 4 – Greystone Golf & Country Club (Sepp Straka) vs Team 8 – Hallamshire GC (Matt Fitzpatrick); and Team 2 – Club De Golf Larrabea (Jon Rahm) vs Team 5 – Ecloves GC (Ludvig Åberg).

Upcoming events

Upcoming events include Ladies 12-hole Single Stableford sponsored by Ann Marie Fagan or Ladies 9-hole Singles Stableford sponsored by Patricia Smyth on Wednesday, February 18; Table Quiz Night at MGC on Friday, February 20; Ladies 15-hole Single Stableford sponsored by Oonagh Farrell or Ladies 9-hole Singles Stableford sponsored by the Harriott O’Neill on Wednesday, February 25; Ladies 15-hole Scotch Foresomes sponsored by Bridie Shaw and Colette Browne or Ladies 9-hole Singles Stableford sponsored by Kathy Whelan on Wednesday, March 4; International Women’s Day 12-hole Scramble (any combination) sponsored by Lady President Ann Fagan and Mr President Frank McDonagh on Saturday, March 7; Ladies 15-hole Single Stableford sponsored by Ann Bennett or Ladies 9-hole Singles Stableford sponsored by Claire Leavy on Wednesday, March 11; Captain’s Drive In on Saturday, March 14; Ladies 18-hole Singles Stableford sponsored by Joli Hair and Beauty or Ladies 9-hole Singles Stableford on Wednesday, March 18; and Ladies 18-hole Singles Stableford sponsored by Force Recruitment or Ladies 9-hole Singles Stableford on Wednesday, March 25.

Alternative Day competitions may also be played on the Saturday or Sunday beforehand.

The late John Plunkett

Mullingar Golf Club has lost a dear friend in John Plunkett, a man whose passing leaves a deep void in the heart of the club and in the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him. John bore his illness with remarkable courage and dignity. True to character, he faced it the same way he faced everything in life with quiet strength, honesty and resolve. His bravery was an example to us all.

As Captain of Mullingar Golf Club in 2020, John led during one of the most challenging periods in the club’s history. It was a year that tested every organisation, every committee, and every leader. Yet John’s steady hand, his knowledge of the game and of the club, and his unwavering commitment ensured that Mullingar not only endured but remained united. He was thoughtful, measured and always focused on what was best for the club as a whole.

His leadership did not begin or end with his captaincy. As Chair of Management for three years, John brought drive, vision and integrity to every meeting and every decision. He was knowledgeable, diligent and above all honest. If John gave you his word, you could rely on it. He believed deeply in transparency, fairness, and doing things the right way even when the right way was not the easiest way.

John was the definition of a true club man. Mullingar Golf Club was not just somewhere he played it was part of who he was. He gave of his time generously, offered his advice freely and never sought recognition for the countless hours he devoted behind the scenes. His commitment was constant, right to the very end.

On the course, he was a fierce and determined competitor. He played the game hard, played it properly, and played it to win. Yet when the round was over, he was the perfect gentleman gracious in victory, dignified in defeat, and always respectful of his fellow golfers. He understood the spirit of the game and embodied it fully. Off the course, John was a leader in the truest sense steady, principled and dependable. He led not by seeking attention but by setting standards. He inspired trust because he was authentic. He earned respect because he gave it.

John Plunkett leaves behind a legacy of service, integrity, and dedication. Mullingar Golf Club is stronger because of him. The friendships he built, the standards he upheld, and the example he set will endure.

To his wife Mary, daughter Lisa and son Ian, his parents and mother in law, brothers Tony and Derek and sister Elaine we extend our deepest sympathies. We share your loss and we are grateful that we were able to call him our Captain, our Chair and above all, our friend.

May he rest in peace.

Saturday dining offer

Enjoy a pint with a burger or a glass of wine with a curry for just €17.95. This offer is open to both members and visitors and is a great way to enjoy good food and company at the club. The Saturday dining and Sunday menus provide a lovely way to support the club while treating yourself.